RWANDA football federation, Ferwafa has summoned a 26-man team to start preparations for Orange Challenge Cup which starts next week in Nairobi, Kenya.

Ferwafa named a youth squad which is composed of mainly U-23 players as well as a few players, who featured in the just concluded 2010 Nations’ Cup qualifying campaign where Rwanda finished bottom of Group 3.

The U-23 players will be used in the two-week long tournament as part of the preparations for the 2011 CHAN and the 2012 Nations Cup.

Apart from Jean Mugiraneza, Haruna Niyonzima, Abbas Rassou, Didier Kapet, Eric Gasana [Mbuyu Twite], Kalisa Mao and goalies Jean Ndoli and Jean Ndayishimiye, the rest of the players featured in the Junior Wasps team which took part in the Africa Youth Championship held in January in Kigali and last month’s Francophone Games.

Amavubi Stars opens the quest for the tournament title against Somalia on November 29 before facing Eritrea on December 3.

They will face a tough contest against guests and Cosafa champions Zimbabwe on December 5. Zimbabwe took part at the same event in 1985 when it hosted and won the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup at Rufaro.

Now, 24 years later, the ground has been set for Zimbabwe to rekindle its dance with teams from central and eastern Africa. All Group B matches will be played at Nyayo stadium

Full squad:

J.C Ndoli (APR), Jean Ndayishimiye (APR), Emery Mvuyekure (Electrogaz), Jean Mugiraneza (APR), Patrick Mafisango (APR), Eric Gasana (APR), Haruna Niyonzima (APR, Donatien Tuyizere (Atraco), Aimable Rucogoza (Rayon), Abbas Rassou (APR), Kalisa Mao (APR), Yussuf Ndayishimiye (Rayon), Bonfils Twahirwa (Rayon), Anwar Kibaya (Rayon), Eric Habimana (Rayon), Albert Ngaboyisibo (APR), Emmanuel Sebanani (APR), Didier Kapet Kouin (APR), Jamal Mwiseneza (Rayon), Abdul Karim Gashugi (Police), Jean Claude Iranzi (APR), Tumaine Ntamuhanga (Kiyovu), Idesbald Nshuti (Kiyovu), Amani Uwiringiyimana (Atraco), Aphrodis Mungwarareba(Police) and Amin Mwizerwa (AS Kigali).

Ends